MusicWorks Teaching Artists

Rachel ArnoldFirst Steps in Music – Blackford County Having participated in violin lessons and music readiness classes at Arts Place, Portland Center, from Pre-K through high school, Rachel is excited to come back and teach for the same program that gave her a start at lifelong musicianship. Rachel teaches K-5 music for the Jay School Corporation.

David Blakley – Violin, ViolaBlackford County & Portland Center Teaching Artist David is the librarian and principal second principal violinist of the Muncie Symphony Orchestra. David studied music at Eastern Michigan University where he graduated in 1978. He joined the Arts Place Faculty in 2006. g

Ann Clamme-Monroe – PianoBlackford County Teaching Artist Ann has a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University in elementary education. She taught piano for 40 years and enjoys playing in churches. Ann is also a registered nurse.

Amy Day – Band InstrumentsBlackford County Teaching Artist Amy became the Blackford County Arts Center director in June 2015. She received a master’s degree from VanderCook College of Music and taught music for 35 years.

Bonita Frazee- PianoBlackford County Piano Lab & Portland Center Teaching Artist Bonita recently retired as an elementary teacher from the Jay School Corporation. She received a master’s degree from Ball State University. Bonita participates in the Eastern Breeze Flute Ensemble and the Jay County Community Band.

Emily Goins – HarpPortland Center Originally from Texas, Emily now lives in Marion, Indiana, where she is a freelance harpist. She plays with the Marion Philharmonic, and as a solo harpist for weddings and other events.

Emilie Garringer – BandInstruments Portland Center Teaching Artist Emilie is a graduate of Taylor University with a degree in Music Education. Emilie first joined Arts Place faculty in 2006.

Margaret Hammond- PianoBlackford County & Portland Center Teaching Artist Margaret is an accompanist for Taylor University. She has a performance degree from Taylor University and is often sought after to perform and accompany in the local area.

Andrew Kern – GuitarBlackford County & Portland Center Teaching Artist Andy Kern has been with Arts Place for 5 years and has 26 years of guitar experience playing Rock-n-Roll, Country & Blues.

Melissa Knutson – Viola, Violin, CelloPortland Center Teaching Artist Melissa joined the Arts Place faculty in 2016. Graduating from Taylor University with a degree in music, Melissa regularly performs with regional orchestras, in theater productions, and for new composition recitals.

Zec Landers – GuitarPortland Center Teaching Artist

Zec is a graduate of Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, graduating in the spring of 2016 with a bachelor’s in classical guitar performance. He is a Portland native and has been a student of the classical guitar and its repertoire since 2009. Zec has had the privilege of teaching several students of varying age groups and backgrounds and is delighted to be a part of Arts Place’s MusicWorks program.

Jan Rittenhouse – Piano, VoicePortland Center Teaching Artist Jan joined the Arts Place faculty in 2005. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Indiana University. She currently directs the choral program at Jay County High School and General Shanks Elementary.

Eric Rogers – Piano, OrganPortland Center Teaching Artist Eric has served as Executive Director of Arts Place since 1976. Awarded a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Indiana University, he also studied piano at the Cleveland Institute of Music and organ with Orlando Schmidt at the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. Eric worked as a church musician for several years.

Pete Vogler- MusicWorks Faculty Chair, Band Instruments, & PercussionPortland Center Teaching Artist Pete holds a Master of Arts in Music Education from Ball State University. Pete is a band director for the Jay School Corporation and has been teaching in public school education for over 30 years.

Shanna Young – VoicePortland Center Shanna attended Ball State University. She has taught private voice lessons as well as choir classes for elementary and middle school students. She is currently a teacher at the Jay County Christian Academy.